Lance Phillippe Whissell
With a heavy heart we announce the passing of Lance Phillippe Whissell. Lance passed away peacefully with family at his side, in Atlanta, Georgia on February 13, 2021, from heart complications. He will be greatly missed by friends and family around the world.
Born in Edmonton in April 1963, Lance was raised in Westlock where he attended St. Mary’s Catholic School until grade 9. He graduated from Louis St. Laurent High School in Edmonton, where he was known for his sharp sense of humor and athletic abilities. He met his soulmate, Ginger Vaitkunas, on a ski trip to Big Sky, Montana just before graduating from high school. He and Ginger both attended the University of Alberta and married after graduation. He was active in Zeta Psi Fraternity at U of A, where he was President and then an advisor after graduation. Lance earned a Bachelor of Arts (Econ) and a Bachelor of Commerce. He joined Proctor & Gamble after graduation. From there, Lance and Ginger embarked on an incredible adventure driven by their international careers to Toronto, Vancouver, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Shanghai, and the United States. Both of their children were born in Asia. An entrepreneur at heart, Lance’s career spanned businesses of his own along with senior roles with large multi-national corporations throughout Asia and the United States, culminating in his position with Coca-Cola as Director of Global Procurement.
Lance’s passion for his work was surpassed by his love and dedication to his family. He cherished being a husband and father and gave his love and time generously. He was incredibly grateful and proud of all of them. Lance is survived by the love of his life, Ginger Vaitkunas Whissell, his daughter, Madeleine Whissell (22), a recent Graduate from Miami University who now resides in Chicago (he loved advising her on her new career) and son George Whissell (20), currently a student at Washington State University (he was dedicated supporter of all of the kids many activities and sports growing up). Lance is also survived by his proud parents, Bonnie and Ron Whissell of Edmonton, Alberta, his two brothers, Sean Whissell (Joan) of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Evan Whissell (Kim) daughter Chelsie of Scottsdale, Arizona, his sister, Andrea Tsahageas (Periklis) children Yiannis, Alexandros and Anuk of Athens, Greece, his in-laws Joe and Vicki Vaitkunas of Edmonton, brother-in-law Davis Vaitkunas (Barb) children Dash and Indra of Vancouver, sister-in-law Vanessa Childress (Jack) children Kate and Grace of Las Vegas, Nevada and extended family and many friends around the globe.
Lance was larger than life. He was charismatic and could light up a room with his charm, wit, and humour. He was a great storyteller and captured people’s attention. He was fearless and always gave it his all and in doing so, he experienced and achieved more than most could ever accomplish in two lifetimes. Lance touched so many lives and will be dearly missed by all who loved him.
A Celebration of Life will follow in a few months with the date to be announced shortly. The family has requested that donations in memory of Lance be made to the Zeta Psi Foundation of Canada: Lance Whissell Memorial Scholarship: https://rebrand.ly/ZetaPsi-LanceWhissell.
Condolences for Lance’s family may be registered at www.fostermcgarvey.com
Funeral arrangements: Foster & McGarvey and Westlock Funeral Home
